HICKORY – Visiting and 14th-ranked UNCP pounded out 22 hits and led 12-3 by the end of the sixth inning, but had to hold back a late rally by Lenoir-Rhyne before registering a 14-9 win over the Bears on Wednesday afternoon in Hickory.

The triumph pushed the non-conference record for UNCP (29-10) out to 13-2, while also giving the Braves a 12-4 record away from Pembroke this season. Lenoir-Rhyne (18-28) lost for the fourth time in its last five outings and dropped its fourth-straight game to the Black & Gold as well.

Ben Schmucker doubled, tripled and drove in six runs on a perfect 4-for-4 tally for the Braves, who also got multi-hit days from seven other players as well. Brett Huffman doubled twice and hit his fifth home run of the season on a 3-for-5 hitting line, while Jordan Edgerton turned in a 3-for-6 showing.

Josh Murphy doubled and recorded a pair of RBI on a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate to pace the Bears.

Starter Logan Cook (3-1) struck out five and scattered five hits and a trio of runs (two earned) over 5-1/3 quality innings from the bump to pick up the win for the Braves. Jared Carroll (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in a three-inning appearance in taking the loss for the hosts.

Schmucker registered at least one RBI in four different innings, including a three-run triple in the fourth that pushed the UNCP lead out to 8-2. The Braves scored a pair of runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tote a 14-3 lead into the eighth.

Lenoir-Rhyne sent 10 batters to the plate in a nail-biting ninth inning that saw the Bears draw three free passes and benefit from a pair of ill-time errors by the visitors.

UNCP will close out a four-game road trip this weekend when it heads to Due West, S.C., for a three-game set against Erskine (23-19) at Grier Field. The squads will open up the series with a 2:30 p.m. outing on Friday before closing out the weekend with a noon doubleheader on Saturday.